Wonderlic QBs

A good Wonderlic intelligence test score will work in Ryan Lindley's favor this week in the NFL Draft. But it doesn't matter much. A look at reported scores for various quarterbacks before their draft year. A perfect score is 50:

Ryan Fitzpatrick: 48

Alex Smith: 40

Brian Griese: 39

Andrew Luck: 37

Ryan Lindley: 35

Tom Brady: 33

Steve Young: 33

Philip Rivers: 30

John Elway: 29

Peyton Manning: 28

Drew Brees: 28

Ryan Leaf: 27

Brett Favre: 22

Tim Tebow: 22

Dan Marino: 16

Jim Kelly: 15

Ryan Lindley is a smarter NFL Draft prospect right now than Peyton Manning was in 1998 or John Elway was in 1983, according to the Wonderlic intelligence test.

The former San Diego State quarterback correctly answered 35 out of 50 questions on the 12-minute multiple-choice exam in February. By comparison, Manning scored a 28 prior to being drafted No. 1 in 1998. Elway -- the No. 1 pick in 1983 -- scored a 29.

So does that mean Lindley made a special impression with the Denver Broncos?

Maybe slightly.

The team recently brought him in for a workout as it prepared for this weekend’s NFL Draft. Lindley met Elway, the Denver’s legendary former QB and current executive vice president. Lindley didn’t get the chance to meet Manning, Denver’s current star quarterback.

“I got to see him,” Lindley said. “They were working out, and I saw him from afar.”

The Broncos have been looking for a young QB to develop behind Manning, and Lindley is one of their prospects. But Wonderlic scores are only a small part of the equation this weekend for Lindley and several other former SDSU players in the NFL Draft. The Aztecs are likely to have three or four players selected in the seven-round draft, all projected to be selected in Rounds 3-7 on Friday and Saturday.

So what’s not to like? His passing accuracy at SDSU – 55 percent -- has given some scouts pause, though many of them know much of that was due to his inexperienced receivers in 2011.

Shonka projects him to be taken in the fifth or sixth round, with at least four to eight quarterbacks expected to be picked before him. Lindley likely will spend his early years as a team’s developmental backup QB.

Will he be disappointed if he’s picked in the fifth round or lower, as some analysts are projecting?

“At this point, I did all I can, “Hillman said Wednesday. “If not, I’ll play the best I can and play for that second contract.”

Hillman is the kind of slippery runner that makes coaches love him despite his small stature of 5-foot-9, 200 pounds. He put on about 15 pounds since last season but NFL scouts like running backs to be at least 220 pounds.

“We see Ronnie as a third-down type of back,” Shonka said. Waldman sees more long-term potential. He likens Hillman to former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber (5-10, 205).

Linebacker Miles Burris: He hasn’t received the same media buzz as Lindley or Hillman, but Burris could be selected higher than both. Teams like his explosiveness, strength and toughness. The downside is that it takes some imagination to see exactly which linebacker position he’ll play in the NFL. He also didn’t benefit from much exposure.

“Coming from San Diego State, it’s a smaller school, there aren’t as many people evaluating players from here,” Burris said. “The further along the process got, the more people were checking out my film. That’s when I started hearing higher grades and more interest.”

Shonka said Burris (6-2, 246) could go as high as the fourth round. Burris said he’s heard he could be picked even earlier, possibly in the second round.

“There’s a lot to like about that guy,” Shonka said. “He’s a guy you definitely are going to find a spot for on your team. He’s going to do a great job on special teams. He’s so physical.”

Lindley, Hillman and Burris plan to spend the draft weekend in California with their families.

“It’s not the healthiest thing to just sit in front of a TV all day, so my family and I have decided we’re going to try to do something every day and just try to stay active,” Burris said.

The phone also could ring this weekend for SDSU punter Brian Stahovich, though only two or three punters are expected to be drafted. If he’s not drafted, Stahovich will get his chance in the NFL as an undrafted free agent. The same probably goes for several other SDSU seniors, including offensive lineman Tommie Draheim, cornerback Larry Parker, defensive lineman Jerome Long and tight end Alston Umuolo.